New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-28
THE STRIKES COMMITTEES REPORT

A lust and sensible report has been Trans
mi,ted TO The Assembly by the three Repub-
,ican members Of the special committee appointed
IN investigate tho causes of the recent coal
strikes. They do not avoid any Of the issues
presented by either side, but report the facts
rs they are. commenting upon them frankly.
Tho action Of the Reading road i'll reducing
WAGES Iust at a time when strike would be
most unfortunate In its effect upon the puoilf
is deprecated. though 1t is properly conceded
that the road would not have taken such sep
could il have forcsccn the result. The alleged
combination Of the coal men about which
Assemhlyman Martin made such an absurd
fuss was shown to be an arrangement ho'
understood to bo binding as limiting the out
mt Of coal and therefore nothing but
shadow Of combination"
Tho right Of employers to choose their own
cmnloyrs, and Of wOrlmcn TO enter into what-
ever service they desire, is stouily maintained
lv tho committee. and at the same time any
atrcrlpt on the part Of the producers OF he
rcccs.oric> OF life to limit the production OF
srch ncccssarics and any attempt on the part
II lalor ORGANIZATIONS to deprive vorkmcn OF
their freedom. arc warmly denounced as I'M
vo,cs considerable attention 10 the methods en-
plovcd by the labor leaders. Their conduct III
cocrcng worlmcn to bow their ncchS 10 unc
unions iron rule, in welding these conSoi-
dated forces Ivy n dcspoGc power whof
n,dcrs are issued by n secret junta before whose
command all enterprises Of trade or commerce
must bow" and in teaching the dogma hal
in all wars the innocent must suffer rs well
as The guilty" is lcarlc,,ly and unthlully pro
nonncrd policy OF using innocent forces to
compel the submission OF just rights to uniaw-
ial demands
The committee safes. what is undoubtedly
true. that the minimum loSs IN wages by
the STRIKES was over 100000. and the losN
To trade over : 1OOOO,OOO with no practical
benefit 10 the worhmcn." Neither III increased
vapcs nor in improved position has the laborer
done himself the slishcs, good. II Is held that
wages cannot hc marked with legislative INK.
The responsibility for the incrclc in the pucc
Of coal i, placed upon the shoulders OF Quinn
ana his fellow dcmagoguc, where II most Justly
lc!ong. That tie wholesale coal dealers were
innocent Of any action tending 10 advance
pricc, Is acknowledged, though the retail dealers
are shown TO have taken advantage Of The SIT
uauon iy improper SIccclauons.
On the whole. the report Of the majority Is
IN excellent, a, il should Ic a useful. docu-
mcni. Mcssrs Martin and Collins rs their
attitude during the investigation led 'L' TO an
ticipaic, have taken the opportunity to indulge
in some dcniagogic observations IN the shaP
Of a minority report. intended, OF course, "
make them cl,c, "soAd with the labor vote.
rnoy NAV succeed IN tha., and wanting
higher purpose they will doubtless bc satisfied
II is n matter Of qualification to vs. that the
Republican members have been animated nthcir
dtcul: and delicate work by an honest desire
10 deal fairly and candldIy with both sides ana
10 nut n. the service of the House IN ormauon
which, carefully considered, may lead to ben
ciiccnt legislation.